Method of internally potting or sealing a handheld medical device

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a powered surgical instrument including a housing defining an inner cavity therein; at least one internal component disposed within the housing; and potting material injected into the inner cavity encapsulating at least a portion of the at least one internal component.

1 . A powered surgical instrument, comprising:
 a housing defining an inner cavity therein;   at least one internal component disposed within the housing; and   a potting material injected into the inner cavity encapsulating at least a portion of the at least one internal component.   
     
     
         2 . The powered surgical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one internal component is selected from the group consisting of a control circuit and a drive motor. 
     
     
         3 . The powered surgical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein the potting material is a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyesters, silicones, rubbers, epoxies, nylons, polyphthalamides, liquid crystal polymers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The powered surgical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein the potting material includes at least one additive selected from the group consisting of a thermally conductive additive, a dielectric additive, an electro-magnetic shielding additive, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The powered surgical instrument according to  claim 4 , wherein the thermally conductive additive is selected from the group consisting of abrasive ceramics, lubricious ceramics, boron nitride, aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The powered surgical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein the potting material is at least one of transparent and translucent. 
     
     
         7 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A powered surgical instrument, comprising:
 a housing defining an inner cavity therein, the housing including a handle portion;   a body portion extending distally from the handle portion;   a tool assembly disposed at a distal end of the body portion;   a control circuit and a drive motor disposed within the inner cavity, wherein the drive motor is mechanically coupled to the tool assembly and the control circuit is configured to control the operation of the drive motor; and   a potting material injected into the inner cavity encapsulating at least a portion of at least one of the control circuit and the drive motor.   
     
     
         13 . The powered surgical instrument according to  claim 12 , wherein the potting material is a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyesters, silicones, rubbers, epoxies, nylons, polyphthalamides, liquid crystal polymers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The powered surgical instrument according to  claim 12 , wherein the potting material includes at least one additive selected from the group consisting of a thermally conductive additive, a dielectric additive, an electro-magnetic shielding additive, and combinations thereof.